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Summary: I would never have predicted those last few pages!
Review: So long it can get confusing -- especially reading Gideon's journal entries -- but it is a really satisfying read. I love the twists and turns the plot can take. When I think I have it solved, another victim or fact comes to light to make me reconsider -- this is typical Elizabeth George and I love it. Also on the plus side, we learn more about Constable Nkata.
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Summary: A Complex, Well-written Mystery
Review: If you want a cozy English mystery that you can finish in one sitting, Elizabeth George is not the author for you. If you want to read a well-written police procedural with complex characters, then pick up her books immediately. Once again Ms. George has created real-life characters that are on the far side of the "normal" scale. In "A Traitor to Memory" she creates characters that will haunt you. She delves into the mind of Gideon,a child prodigy musician, and how his great gift affects those around him. This book would be an excellent choice for book club discussion. While I think it is always better to start with the first book of the series to better understand the continuing characters, "A Traitor to Memory" can definitely stand on its own.
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Summary: Thank you, yet again, Ms George......
Review: The latest entry in the Elizabeth George libretto is a fascinating yarn through Londoners' minds and pasts. This is definitely one of her longer books (I cannot believe it only took her 10 months to write--pure genius, she is), but to this reader, did not drag at one point through the 700+ pages of suspense. I am not a reviewer that needs to recap the story. Amazon does that quite fine. I believe we are here to rate the books and give our opinions, so what it is worth, here is mine. Amazingly enough, Ms. George is always able to create real people out of even the most minor characters. You feel as if you know the lives of someone who is only featured on one or two pages by her magnificent descriptions. She is truly a master at this. One never knows if the person mentioned in two paragraphs on page, lets say, 246 will be a figure at the end. This is how she keeps us hooked. The Character of Gideon is revealed through a diary of flashbacks, much like her character of Olivia in Playing for the Ashes. This weaves throughout the story and helps the puzzle fit together (almost) at the very end. Helen Lynley is thankfully not quite as annoying as she has been in previous novels. (Perhaps her expectant state will mellow her a bit in future novels) and her interaction with Lynley seems as a real marriage for the first time since I have read through the relationship from the beginning. Barbara is back at her most cynical, while Winston Nkata bares some teeth in his first major entry in a George novel. The end???? Read it twice, perhaps three times. The last 20 pages seem to tie the story together. But I will admit myself to being confused on the very last page. Perhaps I looked into in incorrectly, but it seems to put everything said in the final chapters back and focus on a completely new suspect. Or, were we witnessing a flashback to his childhood acted out, unfortunately as an adult? What is the blue door? (I will also admit, I am still confused by this one. It is explored, but not deep enough to find the true meaning). Any help, readers? Email me..... All in all, a wonderful book. I absolutely adore you, Elizabeth George and am now saddened that I must wait another year to read the next installment. Oh well, perhaps I'll go back to In the Presence of the Enemy or Well Schooled in Murder and re-read them. One can never read too much of these characters, can we
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Summary: A good book in a great series
Review: While it may not be the best book in the series, it is as entertaining as the others. If you have not read any other books by George, be warned that you should begin with "A Great Deliverance," the first book in the series. The books move chronologically through the lives of their main characters, New Scotland Yard's Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and his partner, Barbara Havers. While each mystery is self-contained, tracing the lives and development of the main characters may be spoiled by reading the books out of order. In "A Traitor to Memory," George continues her saga by detailing a murder mystery -- the death of a violin virtuoso's mother -- which, in interwoven narratives, examines themes that resonate as well in the lives of the detectives. This book is long, but well paced, and excellently written. It contains far less of the on-going sub-story of the main characters' lives than past books, which, considering the novel's length, is a bit suprising, and may, for many, be somewhat disappointing.
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Summary: Disappointing compared to earlier books
Review: IF this were the 1st book for Elizabeth George, then one could cut her some slack and assume she would improve. As the 11th in the Lynley/Havers series it is disappointing. The plot meanders too far away from the main series characters, treating them quite superficially. The other, quite annoying tendency, is the repetition of Catholic imagery, guilt, blah blah. If Elizabeth George wants to write religious books (which she does in her off-season from Lynley/Havers), then keep the heavy handed Catholic stuff to the other literary works. Overall........after waiting a year for a new novel from George, this was very disappointing and an indication the series is sliding downhill rapidly.
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Summary: back to havers, lynley and the crew
Review: I had a feeling from the beginning how this book was going to end. There were few twists and turns in an exceedingly long novel. Can we go back to basics? Mysteries with the detectives we know and love uncovering the truth as the main storyline. Did not like this book and gave it a two only because one is reserved for those I put down and do not finish. And the only reason I finished it was to assure myself that I did indeed have it figured out right from the start. If you are big fan of Elizabeth George and feel you must read this book, be forewarned, this is not the usual Lynley/Havers storyline. I wish it were!
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Summary: Ambitious but flawed
Review: This complex and ambitious mystery is partly enthralling, partly boring, complex and overlong. Ultimately I felt it was ambitious but flawed. It would have benefited from editing to tighten the pace. I was very disappointed in the ending, after all of Gideon's pschological soul searching I wanted some kind of resolution. Personally I felt cheated by the ending of Gideon's story (though not by the mystery's ending). There were lots of loose ends left in the various subplots. On the plus side, the author creates some memorable characters, parts of the novel are excellent, and all of it is well written.
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Summary: A meaty and juicy read
Review: He made his public debut at the age of six and a half and almost two decades later former child prodigy Gideon Davies remains internationally renowned for his music. One day just before a performance, the music vanished and Gideon could no longer even play a simple note. After a complete neurological work up that showed no physical cause, his doctors recommend a psychiatrist. Following several intense sessions over the next few weeks, Gideon concludes that he suffers from repressed memories. He did not remember that he once had a sister Sonia who suffered from Downís Syndrome before being killed by her nanny when she was two. While Gideon struggles to adjust to his recollection, his mother who deserted the family years ago is murdered in front of the London home of a man who one lodged with the Davies family when Sonia still lived. DI Inspector Lynley and Constable Havers begin an investigation to keep the surviving Davies kin safe even though it means digging deep into a familyís darkest secrets. Elizabeth George has written a monster sized, yet fascinating police procedural that allows numerous subplots to fully develop and characters to feel both real and complex. Unlike their usual appearance where Lynley and Havers play center court, Gideon is the star of A TRAITOR TO MEMORY. Although it takes a while for the meat of the plot to be served the soup and salad is as tasty as the delicious main course. Ms. George provides sub-genre fans with a psychological look at a family in crisis wrapped inside a strong police procedural that will bring the author much acclaim. Set aside a few days and enjoy. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: TOOO LONG !!!
Review: I went on vacation this summer to my mother's house in Florida. She had gotten two new books for me to read--"A Traitor to Memory" and P.D. James latest. I started reading Elizabeth George because she is one of my favorite writers and I usually thoroughly enjoy her books. However, this book was way too long!! The same plot, characters and all the ramifications could have been told in 500 pages and been a much better book. I guess what I don't understand is why the publishers, her editor, etc. don't/can't tell an author that they have "diarrhea" of the pen and the book will suffer for it. Because this one did--it's way too long. By the time I was finished I really didn't care who had done what--I was thoroughly bored with the whole thing and just wanted it to end. Please somebody, tell Ms. George to tell the story faster next time. I'm sorry to say that I really did not enjoy this book and hope that her next book is better.
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Summary: An Usatisfactory Ending
Review: The ending of the book was most unsatisfying for me. Libby didn't behave as her character did throughout the book. Gideon doesn't get his question answered, unless holding Libby down by the shoulders as he'd done his sister long ago is his answer? What happens to Webberly and his wife? What happens to Richard? What happens to Wolf? For such a complicated book I was very surprised at its ending. Elizabeth George is such an excellent writer I wonder why she allowed this to be? I would not recommed this book to a new reader of George, but one reviewer was a first time reader and liked it a lot; go figure?
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